turismo ·
Iguazu Falls with flow 5,631 m³/s: what to expect on your visit
Guia 3 newsroom · edited by Annie GrellmannPortuguêsEspañol
The flow of the Iguaçu River is at 5,631 m³/s, almost 3.8 times the historic average of 1,500 m³/s.
The measurement shows 5,631 m³/s, which equals 3.8 times the historic average flow of 1,500 m³/s (1.5 million liters per second). This amount corresponds to about 2.3 Olympic-size swimming pools dropping every second or 563 water-truck loads per second, and in roughly 8 seconds it exceeds the daily water consumption of the entire population of Foz do Iguaçu (285,000 residents).
With the water so high, the mist on the walkways becomes denser and the spectacle of the falls even more impressive. However, during very strong floods the park usually closes only the final section of the Garganta del Diablo walkway for safety reasons; the viewpoints and the other areas remain open. This measure can vary according to the operational decision of the day, so check the current status at /cataratas-hoje before you go.
The brown water seen on the falls is just sediment carried by rain in the river basin, not dirt. And although Itaipu is the largest plant in the region, it does not control the level of the Iguaçu River – the flood comes from rains in the western/south-west of Paraná, with a lag of hours to days.
What this means for you: expect more mist and an even more imposing view of the falls, but be prepared for the possibility that the final section of the walkway may be temporarily closed. Check the park’s official website on the day of your visit to confirm the situation and plan to arrive early to enjoy the still-open viewpoints.
Read also: Iguazu Falls tickets (Brazilian side): 2026 prices
Frequently asked questions
- Is a flow of 5,631 m³/s considered high?
- Yes, it is almost 3.8 times the historic average of 1,500 m³/s, classifying it as well above normal.
- Can the Garganta del Diablo walkway be closed?
- During strong floods the park may close only the final section of the walkway; the viewpoints remain open.
- How can I know if the walkway is open on the day of my visit?
- Check the status at /cataratas-hoje, which provides the park’s official information for the day.
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